SWANAGE

Our Branch here keeps gliding along, without too many problems. Membership has increased slowly with both clubs, mainly due to 'word of mouth' - which is very encouraging, because we must be doing something right. The Handiclub have produced many items for our coffee mornings and sea-front stalls and we are also having monthly stalls at the club, run by one of our helpers, which all helps towards the ever increasing cost of fuel for our Care-Bus and Coach hire for outings.

The Happy Circle is also enjoying an afternoon being entertained either with speakers, film shows and the odd Bingo session. One special happy event at the end of July was the 100th birthday of Irene Harbridge. The Deputy Mayor of Swanage, Mike Pratt and his wife, our Chairman - Stan Grimsley and his wife Thelma, the local press and other friends of D.A.D. all came for afternoon tea and entertainment

We were very fortunate this year to receive £200 towards our Christmas Lunch, from Help the Aged, which added together with our funds, enabled us to give our members almost a free lunch at The Grand Hotel. In 2008 we are looking forward, firstly to a visit to the Portland Branch in January, then the Handicraft Exhibition at Wimborne in June and our usual outings and fund raising events. If any other Branch would like to come to us here in Swanage, we would be happy to see you.

You may like to know that we are having a beach hut along Shore Road for about 6 weeks (mid June to 24th July), so a cuppa will always be available. Please phone someone first just to check we have enough cups and milk!!!!

Our grateful thanks to all our volunteer helpers, car and bus drivers, we could not manage without you.